Corporate Psychology

1. Course Description

This course is covered in the framework of Psychology applied to Human Resources and has been programmed to study psychology from two different perspectives: the behavior of individuals in society and in the workplace. The first part of the course will revolve around the basic cognitive and emotional processes, attitudes, interpersonal relationships, intergroup processes and applied research in Social Psychology. Whereas the second part will cover the set of areas that affect the study of people’s behavior in the workplace, corporate culture within organizations and the scientific study of the relationship between individuals and their working environment. The aim of this course is to understand the dynamics and functioning of individuals and organizations from a psychosocial perspective; learn the terminology, methods and techniques commonly used in this discipline; and the basic psychosocial processes that take place in society and organizations.

2. Learning Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Analyze the processes and phenomena that govern social life from a psychological perspective and basic research
• Describe the structural aspects of organizations and their consequences on the performance and satisfaction of employees.
• Identify theoretical models of social psychology and their limitations
• Identify motivational theories that explain why individuals remain in organizations (satisfaction, involvement, welfare, etc.).
• Adequately interpret the results of psychosocial research and understand its scope, generalizability and repercussions
• Explain the main techniques and tools to analyze and describe the different positions within an organization.  Explain the psychological consequences of unemployment and the personal variables involved
• Collect and interpret relevant data and information to make judgments of a social, scientific or ethical nature
• Analyze the factors involved in the assessment of employee performance (performance models, evaluation strategies, etc.) and their influence on the results (satisfaction, involvement, etc.).
• Distinguish between phenomena and theoretical frameworks to be able to interpret and understand human behavior, as well as predict it in various psychosocial areas
• Describe the personal and organizational aspects involved in the strategic management of human resources.

3. Formative Activities

Academic activities will be developed during the course by means of different didactic strategies:

• activities
• practices
• projects
• others of similar objectives or nature:
  • Academic Course 2019-2020
  • practical cases
  • critical readings of articles, individual and collective works, etc. These activities will represent a 30% of the final grade.

4. Methodology

The majority of the course syllabus follows the main methodological guidelines of the Communicative Approach, based on the core principles of procedure conception and constructive acquisition of knowledge. The methodology is based on the teaching-learning procedures, focused on the learner, which encourages active participation and results in the development of general and specific competencies that prove knowledge, capacities and attitudes for their future professional careers.

5. Evaluation

The form of assessment is based on the core principles of the educational assessment, i.e., an active and participative teaching-learning process focused on the learner. The instructor uses numerous and differentiated forms of assessment to calculate the final grade received for this course. For the record, these are listed below. The content, criteria and specific requirements for each assessment category will be explained in greater detail in class.

5.1. Grading system

In the Spanish educational system, it is required to quantitatively express the result of each student’s evaluation. In order to do so, Nebrija faculty uses different strategies and instruments such as: papers, exams, tests, projects, self-evaluation activities, etc. In order to issue a final grade for the Spanish Plus programs the following scale is established:

• 30 % Attendance and active participation in class
• 30% Daily work/ Papers/ Essays
• 40% Exams/ Final papers or projects*

Therefore, the final grade is the average between attendance and participation, daily work and exams, presentations, projects and essays.

Active participation in class is evaluated by means of different activities such as:

• Activities and exercises correction;
• Reflection upon the different contents in the course;
• Oral activities (individual, in pairs or in groups). Fluency, correction, adequacy and r elevance are taken into account;

Daily work makes reference to any activity or task that is done inside or outside of the classroom, whether during the class time or at any other time.

Exams/ Final papers or projects

The course includes a midterm and a final written exam on theoretical concepts and course facts. If a student, unjustifiably, does not do or submit an exam, paper or project, it will be graded with a ‘0’.

* A minimum grade of 5 must be obtained in a final exam/ final project in order to pass the course.

5.2. Grading system

Attendance is mandatory. In case of missing 5 or more sessions in one course, the student will receive a zero in his/her participation and attendance grade. In addition, not attending classes will not excuse the student from handing in in any homework, papers or essays previously assigned. The following situations must be considered:

• Each session of class will count as an absence.
• Two delays of more than 15 minutes will be considered an absence. The entrance to class will not be allowed after 30 minutes once it has started.
• There are no excused absences. E.g.: Not attending class because of sickness will count as an absence. The student is responsible for catching up with any homework done while absent.
• Exams dates have been officially approved by the University, therefore, they will not be changed.*

*Except for those courses where the professor will set up specific dates and inform the students at the beginning of the program.